Advent 2022 – Day 6
Friday, December 2nd
The Wisdom of Surrender
By Mitch Ingman/ Season of life: Retired, Married to Debbie Ingman
Scripture
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
~ Proverbs 3:5
My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5. The passage goes on to say, “In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” (verse 6). The year was 2014. I was having difficulties trying to move forward after a failed marriage, and my pastor reminded me that I’m a child of God, loved by God; and, he counseled me to earnestly seek God’s grace and provision through prayer and surrender. He assured me that the Holy Spirit will provide a path for me. During this time, I also thought about Psalm 119:105, which says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”.
I grew up in the church and I had accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 12, but I had never made my prayer life a focused effort from a position of total surrender. I began attending weekly Wednesday evening church services, as well as Sunday morning and Sunday evening services. I joined a small group that met every two weeks and we shared stories and prayers. I prayed continuously, asking God to guide me in my steps, and I asked my small group for prayers of guidance and wisdom. I also requested prayers for guidance and patience in the Prayer Box at church.
It was August of 2015 when I felt pulled to attend my high school reunion. I had not seen anyone from Hillsboro High School in decades. I thought I wouldn’t remember, or be remembered, by anyone.
God poured blessings over me, and the biggest one was that He also had nudged my high school ‘homeroom buddy’, Debbie Riddle Humes, to attend this reunion, even though she hadn’t attended in decades either.
Through total surrender to God’s will for me, I have been blessed beyond measure. I believe with all my heart and mind that God brought us together. I also believe that my purpose in life is to care for Debbie and ensure that she always knows she’s loved, by God and by me.
Closing Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, Strengthen my faith so that my trust is wholly in You and not on my own understanding. Grant me wisdom, patience and love in all that I think, say and do. Amen
_________________________________________________
Reflections
What is a time when the Lord used a “coincidence” to bless your life?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
In what area(s) of your life do you need to more wholly “trust God and lean not on your own understanding”?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
What might it look like to “surrender” to God in these areas?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lord God, may I “repeat the sounding joy” of who You are today!